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Skull
The skull consists of two parts, the cranium and mandible. The former is the top portion of the skull, which houses the brain. The latter is the lower jaw, and is connected to the cranium by a joint that allows hinge-like movement. The skull has eight cranial bones and 14 facial bones. In addition to these 22 bones, there are six auditory ossicles, or ear bones, and one hyoid bone, for a total of 29 bones in the skull. The hyoid bone anchors the tongue and is essential for human speech.
Thorax
The thorax is the human midsection. Thorax is synonymous with rib cage, and consists of two parts. These parts are the ribs and the sternum. The sternum is a flat dagger-shaped bone in the middle of the chest that is divided into three parts. All true ribs connect to the sternum at the front of the body. False ribs connect only to the spine. The sternum helps form a shield above the heart and lungs. Human rib cages are designed to shield internal organs that are in the chest cavity.
Vertebral Column
The vertebral column is so called because it is, simply, a column composed of vertebrae. The vertebrae, of which there are 33, are small, round, hollow bones that protect the spinal cord. Vertebrae are jointed to allow for flexibility of the body. The University of the Western Cape, in South Africa, explains that the vertebral column is the central part of the human body. It supports the skull, serves as the rear attachment for the ribs, and connects to the pelvis. By protecting the spinal cord, the vertebral column protects the body from grievous harm and potential paralysis.